Mullen to meet army chief; Salman Bashir to leave on April 21 for Pak-US strategic dialogue.

ISLAMABAD:

Top military officials from Pakistan and the United States will meet this week in the latest effort to repair ties damaged by a series of diplomatic rows between the two countries, particularly the continuing drone strikes in the tribal areas by America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen will be in Islamabad to discuss with Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani the issues that have two countries, said Pakistani and American officials.

“Admiral Mullen is visiting Islamabad this week to meet Pakistan’s top military leadership,” a US diplomat told The Express Tribune while requesting anonymity.

Admiral Mullen will be the second high-level US military official, who is touring Pakistan in less than two weeks after the visit of the head of US Central Command Gen James N Mattis on April 7. In between, the head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha also had a meeting with CIA chief Leon Panetta in Washington.

But these interactions remained inconclusive, as the Obama administration refused to halt the drone strikes in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan while Pakistan sought increased scrutiny of the CIA operatives working in the country.

The frayed relations between Islamabad and Washington have threatened to impede the progress on Afghanistan.

Pakistan is considered to have a pivotal role in any future political dispensation in neighbouring Afghanistan. And its central role has been acknowledged last weekend during a visit to Kabul by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani where the two countries upgraded a joint commission, which is meant to further the reconciliation process.

On the other hand a six-member visiting US Congressional delegation, led by House Speaker John Boehner, also underlined Pakistan’s importance.

“A strong US-Pakistan relationship is vital to the interests of both of our countries,” John Boehner said in a statement at the conclusion of the visit.

“We recognise that the Pakistani military and the Pakistani people have made great sacrifices in recent years in the struggle against extremism and terrorism,” he added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir is scheduled to visit Washington on April 21 to attend the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue.

Express 24/7 reported on Monday that Bashir will be leading a high-level delegation to Washington for the crucial session. Issues like war against terrorism, bilateral relations and coalition support fund for Pakistan will figure in the talks. Both sides are trying to resolve differences, especially on the issue of drone attacks in the tribal areas.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir is scheduled to visit Washington on April 21, for the Pak-US strategic dialogue, Express 24/7 reported on Monday. Bashir will leave for Washington accompanied by a high-level delegation. Some of the topics on the agenda include war against terrorism, bilateral relations and a support fund for Pakistan. Both sides are looking to resolve differences, especially on the issue of drone attacks in the tribal areas.

Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Our present corrupt,beggars and NRO certified PPPP leaders have converted Islamic Republic of Pakistan which was freed on the name of Islam by two nation’s ideology into an American colony and have allowed US officials to do whatever they can by using any means and resources and even the most hazardous thing,id est,they have allowed US officials to control Pakistan’s and its nation’s economy by depending excessively on American aid and selling Pakistan’s and its nation’s dignity,honor,grace,courage,ego,bravery and self-respect to USA just for $$$$$ and allowed ISI to co-operate with CIA to interfere in Pakistan’s and its nation’s highly confidential matters.Now the worldly masters of our corrupt,beggars and NRO certified have complete permission to visit its colony any time,any day and whenever they feel necessary with VIP and fool-proof security arrangements.Recommend

I completely agree with Ali remarks. Current Govt has given license to kill and free hand to US administrtion for destorying self-respect, grace, dignity of Pakistani nation. Recently, US spy killed four innocent people in Lahore, instead of putting him behind bar, our govt let him go with honor, most importantly, no govt body is ready to take responsibility of this shameful act, it is a matter of shame for our politicians. Reportedly, Raymond has appointed to carry on suspcious activities at Pak-Afghan border again.

The USA has the class to send a high level representative to Pakistan to inform them of exactly what the USA policy is – they don’t stand on a podium in front of news reporters and make statements designed to please the public and then say something completely opposite in private. One of the benefits of the Wikileaks was that it confirmed that the USA has been forthright on it’s dealing with Pakistan – you may not like USA policies but at least you know where they stand on the issues – something Pakistan govt should try on occasion – they might improve their reputation as a two faced unreliable ally.Recommend

@American.Dear American.This is reality and bitter truth that our corrupt,beggars and NRO certified leaders no doubt are your slaves but the Pakistani nation is not your slave.You can buy our corrupt and beggars leaders but not the Pakistani nation.Yes you can kill innocent Pakistani nation on the name of fake terrorism because our corrupt and beggars leaders have sold theirs’,Pakistan’s and its nation’s grace,honor,dignity,ego,courage,bravery and self-respect to you just for $$$$$$$ and have allowed you to kill any Pakistani whenever and wherever you want through any means and resources whenever you feel it necessary.Hereby I advise you not to waste your $$$$$$ on our corrupt and beggars Pakistani leaders because our corrupt and beggars leaders may be yours internally but never think that Pakistani nation shall be yours even internally or externally. Recommend